Improved apparatus for carrying and exploding submarine torpedoes



NAPEYERS. PHOTLxTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

WILLIAM W. W. VOOD AND JOHN L. LAY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, AS- SIGNORS TO DONALD MGKAY, OF EAST BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR CARRYING AND EXPLODING SUBMARINE TORPEDOES, dc.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 46,8 52, dated March 14, 1865.

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that we, WM. W. W. VOOD, chief engineer United States Navy, and J oHN L. LAY, iirst assistant engineer United States `controlled by ropes or chains, substantially as described hereinafter, that it can be made to carry a torpedo outward from the vessel, submerge the same, and can be drawn back prior to the explosion of the torpedo.

In order to enable others to construct and operate our invention, we will now proceed to describe the manner of making and using the same.

On reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part ot' this specification, Figure l is a side view of our apparatus for carrying and exploding submarine shells or torpedoes; Fig. .2, a plan view 5 Fig. 3, a detached view of part ot' the apparatus; and Figs. 4 and 5, views drawn to an enlarged scale, and representing the socket for holding and apparatus for releasing the torpedo.

Similarletters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A represents the forward portion of one of the United States light-draft monitors, to several ot' which our apparatus has been applied, or it may be supposed to represent the bows of any ordinary vessel.

B is a long spar, fitting in the sleeve C, and arranged to slide to and fro freely therein.

D is a trunnion or shaft secured to the sleeve, and arranged to trun in a chamber or socket, E, which is let into and firmly secured to one side of the vessel. A chain or rope, F, is atthe vessel.

cured to the inner end of the spar B, passes round a guide-pulley, a', and thence to the barrel, which is driven by a small engine, the chains and chainbarrel being so arranged that by reversing the latter the spar may be drawn inward or projected outward at pleasure.

The socket I at the end of the spar for holding the torpedo J, and the manner of releasing and exploding the same, are the saine as described in our application for a patent for apparatus y for carrying and exploding torpedoes as attached to picket-boats or steam-launches, the description being so full and complete in the said application that repetition here will be unnecessary.

lVhen the spar is not required for use, it is drawn inward, occupies a position alongside the vessel, and rests on a roller, c, which is arranged to turn on a pin projecting from the vessel.

When the spar has to be used, the torpedo is placed in the socket, the spar projected outward, the ch'ain permitting` its outer end to fall, and the topedo to be submerged to the desired depth, while the sleeve C accommodates itself to the movement ofthe spar.

Vhen the spar approaches the limit of its outward movement, a cord, H, which is secured to the vessel, becomes tight, in consequence of which the pin m is withdrawn, the torpedo being thereby unlocked from the socket and at liberty to be pushed therefrom by the further tightening of the cord H, as described in our aforesaid application.

The moment the torpedo is released the spar B is drawn inward to its former position alongside the vessel, and the latter is at the same time backed. In the meantime the released torpedo assumes a vertical position, and owing to its buoyancy rises until it comes in contact with the enemys vessel; the operator then pulls a lanyard attached to the pin-n, thereby withdrawing the same and permitting a weight in the torpedo to fall on a cap charged with detonate, which explodes the shell.

It should be understood that the torpedo used in connection with the above-described apparatus is similar in construction to that for which Letters Patent have recently been allowed to us.

We claim as our invention and desire to In testimony whereof We have signed'our secure by Letters Patentnames to this specification in the presence of l. The spar B, sleeve C, and its shaft D, two subscribing witnesses. constructed and applied to a vessel substautially as and for the purpose herein set forth. gZOOD' 2. The guided chains or ropes G and F, in

-combination with the said spar B and mov- Witnesses:

able sleeve C, the Whole being arranged and W. H. FIELD, operating substantiallyT as described. C. A. JACKSON, Jr. 

